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What's up RotoBallers. Below you will find our Week 15 NFL Monday Night matchups & fantasy football start/sit analysis for the 2016 NFL football season. Ben Ruppert breaks down the final portion of the Week 15 matchups to help you prepare your lineups to win this week.
Each week of the NFL season, we will be breaking down individual matchups and providing you with some fantasy football advice and lineup recommendations based on matchups that we love, matchups that we hate, and some high-risk/high-reward players, as well. It’s essential to analyze the weekly NFL match-ups to find lineup sleepers and gems, while also avoiding those players who may turn out to be busts.
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Panthers @ Redskins - Monday 12/19 @ 8:30 PM EST
Matchups We Love
Jamison Crowder (WR, WAS)
Crowder has faded a bit down the stretch for Washington, with declining receptions and yards over each of the past three weeks. Last week there was a reason for his poor game; Kirk Cousins only completed 14 passes, when his season average is 27 per game. This game is projected to be the highest scoring of the week (51.0), meaning that number of completions should jump back up to normal. Crowder runs most his routes in the slot, where receivers have been able burn the Panthers defense lately. Dontrelle Inman, Doug Baldwin, even Seth Roberts have met or exceeded expectations over the past three weeks. Despite his recent performances, Crowder is a good Monday night flex option in all formats.
Jordan Reed (TE, WAS)
Reed returned from a shoulder injury last week against the Eagles, and severely under-performed by his standards. Reed caught his only target for 10 yards, on a day when Cousins completed only 14 passes. He only played 11% of the team’s offensive snaps. His usage should increase with another week of rest, and this being a Monday game gives him an extra day to get ready. This is a great matchup for Reed; the Panthers have given up the most fantasy points to opposing TE this season. Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham, and Clive Walford have all done well against them over the past three weeks. As long as Reed is healthy expect a normal high usage game from the stud TE.
Jonathan Stewart (RB, CAR)
Over the past three weeks, Stewart has reached double digit fantasy points in two of three games. He is averaging 4.07 YPC over that span, with 212 yards on 52 carries and three TD. The only game he didn’t score in the double digits was the only game he was unable to score a touchdown. The Redskins have allowed 4.30 YPC to opposing RB over the past three weeks, and they have allowed the third most rushing touchdowns this season with 17. The only thing keeping Stewart from being a slam-dunk option this week is his lack of involvement in the passing game; he only has three receptions over the past eight weeks. However, with Cam Newton struggling of late that may not be much of an issue. Stewart is a solid RB2 play in Week 15.
Greg Olsen (TE, CAR)
Though Greg Olsen has had a poor stretch of games of late, signs of promise were shown last week. Olsen led the team in targets and receiving yards, catching 4-of-7 targets for 87 yards. It was the first time in six weeks he had more than 52 receiving yards. Cam Newton’s struggles have no doubt hurt Olsen, but this matchup against Washington leaves him as Newton’s best receiving option. The Redskins have allowed the most receptions and second most receiving yards to the TE position this season. Last week against the Eagles they allowed a staggering 17 receptions to their tight ends; Zach Ertz led the way with 112 yards on 10 catches. Olsen is a strong TE1 in this matchup.
Matchups We Hate
Rob Kelley (RB, WAS)
Kelley has played his last three games on the road, averaging 16 touches per game. In the three games prior, he averaged 23 touches. Kelley can sometimes be a victim of game flow; he has a lock on the early down work, but if the Redskins get down he loses passing downs to Chris Thompson. While it is nice to start the lead RB of an offense in what is supposed to be a high scoring game, the Panthers have done well defending the run this season. Carolina has allowed the fifth fewest rushing yards this season, and their 3.7 YPC allowed is the fourth lowest mark in the league. This is a below average matchup for the young RB, who will need plenty of volume with a TD to have a productive day.
Kelvin Benjamin (WR, CAR)
Kelvin Benjamin hit the low point in his season last week, when he was benched for putting out a poor tackling effort after an interception by Newton. He has only scored one TD over the past nine games, and has seen his receiving yards decrease over each of the past five weeks, from 84 down to 11. Worse of all for Benjamin, he is likely to draw plenty of coverage from former teammate and shutdown corner Josh Norman. Benjamin’s declining play and tough matchup make him no more than a WR4 this week, and should be avoided if you have similar options.
Notable Players
DeSean Jackson (WR, WAS)
DeSean Jackson has been on fire since his return from injury. Over the past four weeks, Jackson has two 100-yard games, and touchdowns in three of those contests. He is averaging 27.5 YPR, with catches of 80, 59, and 67 yards over the past three weeks. Jackson is a huge deep threat, and the Panthers have given up 11 passing plays of 40 or more yards, fifth most in the league. Even two weeks ago when he ended the day with one reception, it went for 59 yards. If you’re looking for a high-upside WR play this week, Jackson is among the best options.
